As BLACK SABBATH prepares for their historic final concert this weekend in Birmingham, fellow heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have paid tribute in their own electrifying way — by releasing a studio cover of the iconic “War Pigs.”
Though PRIEST won’t be performing at the “Back To The Beginning” event on July 5, they’ve chosen to honor their hometown heroes with a powerful rendition of the 1970 classic from SABBATH’s Paranoid album. The band also unveiled an intense performance video accompanying the track, which has long served as JUDAS PRIEST’s walk-on music during live shows.
Said the band in a statement. “We are honored to show our love for Ozzy and BLACK SABBATH with our homage of ‘War Pigs,’ a song we play at every show around the world that fans sing along to, reinforcing their love as well for the legendary Prince Of Darkness!”
The tribute arrives just days before SABBATH’s farewell performance at Villa Park, which marks Ozzy Osbourne’s final live appearance. Unfortunately, Rob Halford and the rest of JUDAS PRIEST will be in Hannover, Germany that same night, co-headlining the SCORPIONS‘ 60th-anniversary show, making it impossible for Halford to appear in person alongside Ozzy and the SABBATH crew.
Speaking to Metal Hammer in May, Halford shared his disappointment: “I had no idea the SABBATH show was happening. It all got announced, and suddenly I get this phone call from Sharon Osbourne: ‘Robbie, I know you’ve got this gig, but could you consider coming over to do a thing with Ozzy?’”
Despite considering every option, Halford concluded the logistics were just too risky: “Even with a private plane, there’s always the chance something could go wrong… I was absolutely gutted.”
Still, the spirit of JUDAS PRIEST will be present at Villa Park, as founding guitarist K.K. DOWNING is set to perform at the event, which will feature appearances by other Birmingham-born rock legends and serve as a massive celebration of the city’s status as the birthplace of heavy metal.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.